Propulsion of aircraft



April 18, 1933. A HALL-BROWN l,904,134

PROPULSION 0F AIRCRAFT Filed Oct. 27, 1930 Patented Apr. 1a, 1933 PATENT OFFICE Aacmm HALL-330171130! Lennon, rarer-Am) rno'rotsxon or Atacann Application filed October 27, 1930, Serial No. 481,408, and in Great Britain ii'ovember 7, 1889.

This invention relates to the propulsion of aircraft and has for an object to utilize the exhaust pressure produced by-internal combustion engines, either to assist the propulsive efi'ect given by the propeller or propellers, or in substitution therefor.

In accordance with the present invention applied to an aeroplane for example this result is attained by delivering the exhaust 1 gases from the engine at such points in relation to the wings as to give a reaction effect, the exhaust valve settings of the engine being, if desired, so arranged that the exhaust gases will be discharged from the cylinders at higher pressures than at present customary.

In one embodiment the exhaust gases are ledthrough suitable pipes to a number of points on the trailing edge-of the aeroplane a0 wing, or wings, so that a proportion of the power not utilized in the engine by reason of the high exhaust pressure will give the desired reaction effect.

Alternatively, or in addition, the reaction eifect could be applied at points in the wings specially selected to give additional lift to enable the plane to rise more quickly. The reaction effect might be so applied as to act in a direction opposed to forward movement of the aeroplane so as to function as a brake. 4 The aeroplane engine might however be of standard form without propeller, and arranged, to utilize as high a proportion of its power in the exhaust aspossible. Under this condition, theoretically, the engine would function as a pump, and the power developed within it would be only that necessary to pass the petrol or other means of combustion through it to the exhaust.

40 Two embodiments of the invention are illustrated diagrammatically in the accompanying drawing inwhich Figs. 1 and 2 show in plan view and in side elevation respectively an acre lane fitted with devices in accordance wit .the invention. Fig. 1 is a detail view. Fi 3 is a fragmentary view of an aeroplane s owing an aeroplane engine fitted with means for pr ucing a reaction effect from the exhaust ga s5.

Referring to Figs. 1 and-2 A indicates the Eases will be delivered from the cylinders at igh pressure through an exhaust pipe B leading in the example illustrated to branches C andD disposed alon the trailingedge of the wing E, each branc being fitted with a plurality of exhaust fets F delivering the exhaust ases to the atmosphere. The branches 5 and D of the exhaust pipe may be arranged as shown in section in Fig. 1 to swivel separately so as .to direct the jets upwardly or downwardly or at diiferent angles for controlling purposes. Thus by turning the exhaust branches 0 and D in such manner that'the jets F are directed down wardly an elevating action may be obtained. A valve G may be located in the exhaust pipe B at the inlet to the branches Cand D to control the supply of exhaust gas to one or both sides for steering or other purposes.

In the embodiment illustrated in. Fig. 3 the exhaust outlets F are arranged to deliver through an o en-ended tubular housing of a form adapts to utilize the exhaust gases to produce a propulsive effect.

I claim In an aeroplane, a pipe for collecting the exhaust from the power-plant, branch pipes leading from the rear end of said pipe respectively to the'trailing' edges of each of the wings, each of said branch pipes being mounted to swivel separately from the others, and eachhaving a plurality of nozzles.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

AROHIBALD HALL-BROWN. 

